Attendees accused the Royal British Legion of being “woke” after launching an £8 Poppy Appeal badge.

The uproar erupted after the Legion announced the new pin, which combined the iconic red poppy with the multicolored Progress Pride flag.

The flag, which includes elements representing binary, intersex, trans and other marginalized communities, was selected over the more traditional rainbow flag.

A spokesperson for the organization said the Pride flag is widely accepted as the most “inclusive symbol for sexual orientation and gender identity”. The sun transmits.

Veterans and activists took to social media to express their anger at the badge.

The flag, which includes elements representing binary, intersex, trans and other marginalized communities, was selected over the more traditional rainbow flag.

A spokesperson for the organization defended the decision saying the Pride flag is widely accepted as the most “inclusive symbol for sexual orientation and gender identity”.

Jeff Williams, a former Royal Marine and Falklands veteran from Birmingham, said: “Wearing the poppy is about remembering all those who have fought regardless of gender, race and sexuality – it is not a political gesture.

“This is just another pointless and deeply offensive exercise in wokeism.”

Another person added: “Your pawn linking the poppy to the Pride flag is wrong and deeply offensive.

“The poppy commemorates everyone, not just those in a particular community.”

Another said: “The poppy represents all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and need no manipulation.”

One person posted: “The Royal British Legion has pride. Do you really think that’s what they died for?

Caroline Paige of Fighting with Pride defended the Royal British Legion’s decision and said the pin was about “LGBTQ veterans being seen and recognised”.

Kate Barker of the gay rights organization LGB Alliance argued that the Progress Pride flag symbolizes that “gays and lesbians” are excluded from their own “movement by proponents of gender identity ideology”.

In a post on X, a spokesperson for the Royal British Legion said: “We consulted LGBTQIA+ members of the armed forces community, our LGBTQIA+ staff network and membership branch and external partners before adopting the Intersex Inclusive flag for the badge.

“It is widely recognized as the most inclusive symbol for sexual orientation and gender identity.”